Research Associate in Nutritional Sciences

This Postdoctoral Research Associate post is for a Nutritionist or Dietitian and will involve leading an exciting human research study on fructose metabolism in liver disease, as well as other studies in diet and gut function and some involvement in teaching and assessment. The post will provide excellent opportunities for skill development and dissemination, whilst working alongside other scientists and doctors involved in the study. The post holder will lead and coordinate the research on a day-to-day basis, with a key role including maintaining study documentation, co-ordinating subject correspondence and conducting study visits, sample processing, analysing laboratory samples, and ensuring measurements of primary and secondary outcomes are conducted according to standard operating procedures and storage of samples is HTA compliant. The candidate will also be involved in data analysis and dissemination, including manuscript preparation. The post holder will work closely and effectively with other team members, including supporting doctoral and BSc/MSc students. Applying for grant funding and writing manuscripts will be a key expectation of this role. There will also be the opportunity to get involved in other research projects in relation to diet and gut health within the team, including human dietary intervention trials and systematic reviews. There is also the opportunity to be involved in teaching and assessment of BSc and MSc students, and in contributing to a module.

The post holder will be based within the Department of Nutritional Sciences in the School of Life Course & Population Sciences, working face-to-face from the Waterloo Campus of King’s College London, and will report to Professor Kevin Whelan.

This post will be offered on a fixed-term contract from 26th February 2024 until 25th September 2024.

This is a full-time post – 100% full time equivalent.

Key responsibilities

• Assist in the writing of protocol for a study of fructose metabolism in liver disease and to participate in regulatory approvals.
• Carry out research into fructose metabolism in liver disease and other aspects of diet and nutrition in gastroenterology as directed by Prof Kevin Whelan (Department of Nutritional Sciences, King’s College London).
• Lead on recruitment of participants to the study, including screening, recruiting and monitoring of study participants.
• Lead on the collection, processing and storage of samples (stool, urine, blood) from study participants, and undertake laboratory analyses as required during the study.
• Collaborate with a team of researchers (including PhD students, MSc and BSc) and staff at King’s College London and Queen Mary, University of London.
• Ensure all data are carefully and promptly collated and entered into the database throughout the study and that records and samples are properly kept and audited.
• Engage in research and produce written research outputs, as set out in the research proposal and as agreed with the Principal Investigators.
• Develop ideas for future research studies and publications, and to develop these into grant applications and manuscripts.
• Participate in all project meetings and deliver presentations in relation to the research.
• Be involved in teaching and assessment of BSc and MSc students, and/or coordinating a module.

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Skills, knowledge, and experience

Essential criteria

Candidates are strongly encouraged to specifically address the essential criteria outlined in the Person Specification in their covering letter.

We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement that specifically details how they meet each of the essential criteria listed in the advert.

Department of Nutritional Sciences

The Department of Nutritional Sciences explores the relationship between diet, health and disease from molecules to populations. Based at King’s Waterloo Campus, the Department of Nutritional Sciences combines over 60 basic and applied scientists, dietitians, nutritionists, doctors and public health experts. Our mission is to find new ways to improve health and to prevent and treat nutrition-related disease.

We began in 1953 as the first university department of nutrition in Europe and have been at the forefront of research in nutrition science and dietetics ever since. We have developed new food applications to impact blood glucose control, collected big data through citizen science to understand individual responses to food, pioneered the low FODMAP diet as a treatment for IBS, and are developing new cereal processing techniques to unlock the natural iron and zinc in staple foods.

More Information: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/slcps/our-departments/department-of-nutritional-sciences

School of Life Course & Population Sciences

The Department is based in the School of Life Course & Population Sciences, one of six research Schools that make up the Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine at King’s College London. By exploring the life course of health and disease, the School of Life Course & Population Sciences approaches health and disease in a different way.

We unite more than 400 experts in women and children’s health, nutritional sciences, population health and the molecular genetics of human disease. Our research links the causes of common health problems to life’s landmark stages treating life, disease and healthcare as a continuum.

We are interdisciplinary by nature and this innovative approach works. In REF 2021, the Department and School were returned under UoA3 (Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing & Pharmacy) where 70% of our research was 4* (world-leading) and 95% of our research was 4* and 3* (world-leading or internationally excellent), and importantly, 100% of the research environment was rated 4* (world-leading). This resulted in the highest ranking in the UK for UoA3 for research, research output, research GPA and research power. 

More information: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/slcps